Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, has justified the disruption that occurred during the Appointments Committee’s sittings on January 30 and 31, stating that it was the only way to prevent the vetting of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa from proceeding without proper scrutiny.

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Speaking to his constituents in Koforidua, Okyere Baafi explained that the chaotic scenes were a calculated move by the Minority to counter the Majority’s numerical advantage and ensure transparency in the process.

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“There were only seven of us in the caucus present, and if we had left, they would have proceeded with the vetting of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that night without any public scrutiny,” he said. “The only option we had was to stay and make the place ungovernable.”

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He argued that had the Minority simply walked out, the Majority would have continued the vetting unchallenged, denying the public the opportunity to witness a thorough interrogation of the nominee.

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Despite his justification, Okyere Baafi offered an apology for the disorderly conduct, urging the public to understand the rationale behind their actions. He maintained that the disruptions were necessary to uphold accountability in the vetting process.

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The altercation, however, escalated into a full-blown brawl, resulting in damage to parliamentary property, including broken consoles, cables, and tables. The chaotic scenes left many observers concerned about the state of parliamentary decorum.

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In response, a special committee has been established to investigate the incident, reviewing video footage and testimonies to determine those responsible and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.

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